In the Rockies today, Idaho's Fish and Game Commission laid out the rules for wolf hunts in that state, and set a limit of 220 animals to be taken during the season that is scheduled to start Sept. 1.
The state is divided into 12 separate hunting zones, with different limits in each of those zones.
Three of the seven commissioners wanted a higher limit--430 wolves--which is about half of the state's population of wolves.
The four commissioners who voted for a lower limit said they did so to avoid litigation over the wolf hunt.
Tags are expected to go on sale Monday, although Defenders of Wildlife has promised to seek an injunction to stop the hunt.
Rockies today
Idaho sets rules, limits for wolf hunt
At its meeting Monday, the Idaho Fish and Game Commission set a limit of 220 wolves that could be taken during a hunting season that begins Sept. 1, although Defenders of Wildlife said the group will seek an injunction to stop the hunt.
Idaho Statesman; Aug. 18
Montana park officials under fire for decision to kill grizzly bear
Glacier Park officials said they have no choice but to remove a 17-year-old grizzly bear and put her two cubs in a zoo because the bear's been in trouble for a decade, and despite park efforts to keep the bear out of trouble, she's sniffing around tents and shadowing hikers, and teaching her cubs the bad behavior as well.
Missoulian; Aug. 18
Ranchers say Nevada, Utah water deal a 'sellout'
About 100 ranchers and residents of the Snake Valley attended a meeting Monday night and told Nevada and Utah officials that the deal they had struck to divide up the unallocated water in the valley that straddles the two states' border will leave them high and dry and out-lawyered in future water battles.
Salt Lake Tribune; Aug. 18
Hundreds of firefighters to join Arizona wildfire battle
The Taylor fire burning southwest of Flagstaff is burning erratically in very steep country, and 500 additional firefighters were expected on the fire lines of the 700-acre wildfire in Arizona on Tuesday.
Arizona Republic; Aug. 18
Montana firm gets Lockheed contract for military vehicle
Lockheed Martin contracted with PFM Manufacturing in Townsend for the Montana company's Land Tamer, all-terrain vehicle designed to carry equipment for the troops.
Helena Independent Record; Aug. 18
Colorado farmers await outcome of FDIC's auction of their loans
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation will auction off 418 farm loans made by the failed Greeley-based New Frontier Bank, about two-thirds of which went to farmers and ranchers in Colorado.
Denver Post; Aug. 18
Opinion
Tester's bill on Montana forests could use some tweaking
There is much to like in U.S. Sen. Jon Tester's bill that will designate new areas of Montana as wilderness, but there are some provisions that are left open to interpretation that are troubling. A perspective from George Wuerthner.
NewWest.net; Aug. 18
Beyond the region
Crews gain ground on 2 major wildfires in California
There are more than 2,100 firefighters battling the Lockheed County that has burned more than 7,000 acres in California's Santa Cruz County and crews have that fire 65 percent contained; and the 2,000 or more firefighters have the 87,490-acre La Brea fire in Santa Barbara County 75 percent contained.
Los Angeles Times; Aug. 18
Debate rages over access to Washington state's Mount St. Helens
It's been nearly 30 years since Mount St. Helens in Washington state blew up, triggering the largest landslide ever recorded, and while research has been ongoing over the nearly three decades, there is a move afoot to move the area into the National Park system, which some oppose because they believe other uses will hamper research on how ecologically damaged areas recover.
New York Times; Aug. 18
Job loss replaces subprime mortgages as top foreclosure reason
As the ranks of the unemployed grow across the nation, job loss is replacing subprime mortgages for sending homes into foreclosure.
Washington Post; Aug. 18
Cougar forces USFS to close popular trail in Washington state
The U.S. Forest Service had to close the Freund Trail near Leavenworth in central Washington state after four separate incidents were reported of a cougar trying to attack mountain bikers.
Seattle Times; Aug. 18
History indicates boondoggle is in the eye of the beholder
The term "boondoggle" became synonymous with wasteful government spending during the Depression, and while many of the projects funded with federal stimulus funds have been labeled as such, those projects are very popular locally and address a need.
New York Times; Aug. 18
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